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Black-banded dottyback (Pseudochromis tapeinosoma) — Pseudochromidae

Black-banded dottyback

Pseudochromis tapeinosoma
LC · Least Concern

The Black-banded dottyback (Pseudochromis tapeinosoma) is a saltwater fish of the family Pseudochromidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–60.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific; coastal reefs, tide pools and lagoons.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The blackmargin dottyback is a dottyback (Pseudochromidae) from the western Pacific. The species is small and elongate with dark-margined fins and an inconspicuous brown ground colour. It inhabits shallow inshore reefs, tide pools and lagoons, where it lives solitary or in pairs concealed in rock crevices and coral rubble and defends its territory. As a small, agile predator it snaps small crustaceans and other invertebrates among the reef substrate. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black-banded dottyback?

The Black-banded dottyback has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Dark-edged fins; shy dwarf perch that shelters in reef crevices and tide pools.

Where does the Black-banded dottyback live?

The Black-banded dottyback lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific; coastal reefs, tide pools and lagoons.

How big does the Black-banded dottyback get?

The Black-banded dottyback grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Black-banded dottyback dangerous to humans?

No, the Black-banded dottyback is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Black-banded dottyback edible?

The Black-banded dottyback is not usually eaten.

More photos

Black-banded dottyback (Pseudochromis tapeinosoma) — Pseudochromidae — 2
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Black-banded dottyback (Pseudochromis tapeinosoma) — Pseudochromidae — 3
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Black-banded dottyback (Pseudochromis tapeinosoma) — Pseudochromidae — 4
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Black-banded dottyback (Pseudochromis tapeinosoma) — Pseudochromidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — iNaturalist user: jeyre (CC BY 4.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Black-banded dottyback verified
Scientific name
Pseudochromis tapeinosoma
Family
Pseudochromidae
Other names
Blackmargin dottyback; Horseshoe-tailed dottyback verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Natural range
Western Pacific; coastal reefs, tide pools and lagoons. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Dark-edged fins; shy dwarf perch that shelters in reef crevices and tide pools. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pseudochromis

More from the family Pseudochromidae

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